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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Ok, I have to be honest. I don't like to make resolutions, but I always strive to be better and to make goals. One of my goals for 2012 was to blog twice a week.

Well, I didn't make it this/last week (depending upon how you view the calendar).

Twice a week for me works best on Sunday and Wednesday. There was no Sunday post this week. So, I'll flog myself with a wet noodle in preparation for Lent.

I'll try to post an additional blog later this week (and again on Sunday)....but does anyone out there face the Blogger Blues? It's not writer's block in which you know what you want to write about but can't find the words. With Blogger Blues, you simply don't have any topic at all, and therefore, the words aren't relevant.

So... I've tried to write about business applications, marketing strategies, favorite shops, and alas! my own products. But Sunday and today, nothing. Rien.

Does writing about Blogger Blues count for writing a blog? For today, I'm going to pretend that it does. Because blogs are about getting to know one another, and like it or not, these blues are what I'm going through at the moment.

Maybe Friday I'll find a recipe to post. Or a book to review. Or any other inspiration. But these Blogger Blues also define me. Please don't be offended. I'm just being honest.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Recently I had the opportunity to enter a drawing to win a pair of earrings from Victorian Swag. And low and behold, I won!

Monday, I received a this lovely pair of earrings:

Here's the description as posted on her web store:

These beautiful stud earrings featuring the print of a single rose and gold embellishments on porcelain would make such a lovely gift for her this valentines day.

I use E6000 Jewelry grade glue so your earrings will stay lovely for years to come!

And they are all as promised. While I've not had a chance to wear these yet, they are all as written and more!

Here's what the owner of Victorian Swag, Missy Perez, has to say about herself:

By day I am your average stay at home mom caring for two wildly lovely children while trying to keep some semblance of a tidy home, but by night I transform to artist and designer extraordinaire forgetting all my mommy duties for just a few hours to churn out original and stunning jewelry for your enjoyment!

I am continually inspired my children, my own childhood growing up in New England, and my amazing mother and grandmother. I'll get an idea for a necklace while reading a beloved storybook to my kids or while watching an old classic movie. The memories of my grandmothers house and her shabby chic country style, before that was ever even a term, are what has inspired the entire look of this shop. My designs are truly from the heart and I hope you'll love them as much as I do.

Missy, thank you so much for the lovely pair of earrings, but more so, thank you for the opportunity to learn more about you and your store!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Did you know that over 80% of adult Americans have purchased some type of air care product over the past year? These products range from candles, air fresheners, potpourri, and car fragrance products. Clearly, we have an expectation that our environments smell great year round, not just at the holidays or special events.

Now you can take your favorite candle fragrance into the kitchen, the bathroom, and any where in the home.

What is so exciting for me is that my fragrance sprays are completely natural and safe for the environment. They do not contain alcohol or other additives and can provide fragrance for even those with allergies.

If you've ever seen my fragrance listing, you know that it is extensive. I'm currently seeking product testers for feedback on new fragrances to offer. If you are interested in testing diffuser oils and fragrance sprays, please email me to learn how you can receive some free product.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Ok, all, I'm really tired tonight, but my goal for this year was to post at least two blog posts a week. So, here are some photos of my favorite shops and products in Etsy land......please shop and enjoy!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

LOVE SPELL is similar to the fragrance sold by Victoria's Secret. This seductive fragrance is made of a lovely bouquet of mandarin orange, bergamot, and tangerine enhanced by hints of fresh peaches, strawberries, and raspberries, yet also has an undertone of white musk.While the Fragrance of the Month, Love Spell is 10% off.

So, as I'm learning to navigate my way through social media, I'm forcing myself to learn new things about marketing. In the old 4P world (product, price, placement, people), I was G-O-O-D...ok, maybe just good, no caps or exaggeration. Social media has blown apart all the rules. But it's also exciting to learn new strategies to marketing my product, which next to creating, is my favorite task in running my business.

Social media needs to be an engagement strategy, not simply a marketing strategy. And it needs to be on a personal level. So, how do you engage the masses on a personal level to be interested in your product? My first strategy is Facebook.

I've set a goal of creating a survey every month on my Facebook page. I ask my followers and friends to vote for the fragrance they would like to see as the next fragrance of the month. I'll usually set 3-4 options of what I would like and think can sell, but I'll also allow them to add a fragrance they would like to see.

(Note to self, ask the question earlier in the month so you're not scrambling the day before sending them out so you have time to quick test. Not a good thing to start labeling your product only to learn the wick is stubborn with the fragrance/dye combination......)

I've tried surveying my Twitter followers as well, but I've learned their responses get lost in my inbox....If any of you survey through Twitter, please comment on methods with which you've found success.

My last blog post discussed basic marketing strategies, and I decided to follow my own advice. I began my business to sell candles, thinking "I love candles. I see them for sale all over the place. I can do this." But I've been rethinking my business strategy around the concept that people aren't necessarily seeking candles as much as they are seeking fabulous, clean, and personally fragrant homes/spaces. Thus, my marketing strategy is now encompassing Product Development (products in the same stage of development) into home fragrances, rather than simply candles. (You could argue it is horizontal development, and I'd buy that too......)

Take it to the sheets!
Spray LOVE SPELL on
your bed linens for
a romantic evening!

So, this month, I'm launching diffuser oils and fragrance sprays. I've not tested diffuser oil for LOVE SPELL yet, but hope to have that available soon.

Back to social media marketing....the products are now featured on my Etsy site, I've been tweeting about the new fragrance, product availability, and sales, I've announced the product on my Facebook page, I've created a Pinterest board around this fragrance, and will soon distribute my e-newsletter, and now it's posted on my blog! *pause to take a breath*

But we need to remember that social media marketing is not a replacement for the tried and true, rather, it is an extension of it. My fragrances are also available in my bricks-and-mortar stores (can't forget those!!!), and I will also snail mail my newsletter to customers who have not signed up for the email version.